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Description
is orchid potting mix good for succulents Molly's Bark-Based Mix for OrchidsQuick answer: what is Molly's Orchid Mix? For: Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Oncidium, Dendrobium, Vanda, and every other epiphytic orchid. What's in it: coarse fir bark, horticultural charcoal, perlite, and sphagnum accent. No peat moss, no soil. Why it works: orchids are epiphytes. In the wild their roots grip tree bark, not dirt. The chunky bark structure mimics that native environment, drains in seconds, and lets roots breathe. Holds shape for 12 to 18
Quick answer: what is Molly's Orchid Mix?
- For: Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Oncidium, Dendrobium, Vanda, and every other epiphytic orchid.
- What's in it: coarse fir bark, horticultural charcoal, perlite, and sphagnum accent. No peat moss, no soil.
- Why it works: orchids are epiphytes. In the wild their roots grip tree bark, not dirt. The chunky bark structure mimics that native environment, drains in seconds, and lets roots breathe.
- Holds shape for 12 to 18 months. Most bagged orchid mixes break down to fines in 6 months and start to rot roots from below.
- Pre-rinsed so you can pot straight from the bag without leaching salts.
More orchid-specific guidance: Do orchids need soil?, Best potting mix for orchids: complete guide.
Orchids are not soil plants. In nature most cultivated orchids are epiphytes, growing on tree bark with their roots exposed to air, catching rain and humidity. Pot them in regular potting soil and the roots suffocate, rot, and the plant dies, often within a single watering cycle. The right orchid potting mix is bark-based, fast-draining, and air-rich.
Molly's Orchid Mix delivers exactly that. Coarse fir bark as the structural base, horticultural charcoal to keep the mix sweet, plus a light proportion of moisture-retaining organics so roots don't dehydrate between waterings. Built for the way orchids actually grow.
What is orchid potting mix?
Orchid potting mix (sometimes called orchid pot mixture, orchid soil, or orchid potting medium) is a chunky, soilless growing medium made primarily from bark, charcoal, and small percentages of moisture-retaining materials. Despite the name, real orchid potting mix contains no actual soil. The "soil" in those product names is a marketing convention, not a description of what's in the bag.
A proper orchid potting mix should:
- Drain almost immediately when water is poured through it
- Hold its chunky structure for 1 to 2 years before breaking down
- Allow constant air contact with the roots between waterings
- Contain no peat, no garden soil, and no compost as primary ingredients
If a product labeled "orchid soil" feels heavy and dense out of the bag, it's the wrong product. A real orchid mix feels chunky, light, and rough.
What's in the bag
- Coarse fir bark: the foundation. Mimics the tree-trunk substrate of wild epiphytes, providing the air pockets and grip orchid roots evolved for.
- Horticultural charcoal: absorbs salts and impurities. Critical for orchids because they're sensitive to mineral buildup from tap water.
- Coir chips: a small percentage of moisture buffer between waterings. Without some moisture retention, you'd be watering daily.
- Sphagnum moss (light proportion): retains humidity right at the root crown. Especially important for Phalaenopsis grown in dry indoor air.
Low organic content overall, no soil, minimal peat. The roots stay dry between waterings, then drink fast when watered.
Genera this is for
Designed for epiphytic orchids:
- Phalaenopsis (moth orchids): by far the most common houseplant orchid. This mix is dialed in for them.
- Cattleya, Oncidium, Dendrobium, Vanda: all bark-loving epiphytes that thrive in this mix.
- Brassavola, Encyclia, Miltonia: same family, same care.
Not for: terrestrial orchids (some Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum lady slippers, Bletilla) which prefer a soilier substrate. For those, blend this mix with a small amount of fine bark and worm castings, or contact us for specific recommendations.
Comparing your orchid potting mix options
| Option | Cost / 5 qt | Effort | Result quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagged "orchid soil" from box stores | $5 to $10 | Low | Inconsistent. Often too fine, sometimes contains soil or peat. |
| DIY blend (bark + perlite + charcoal) | $15 to $25 with leftover ingredients | Medium. Source 3 to 4 ingredients, mix to ratio, pre-soak the bark. | High if you get the ratios right. Steep first-time learning curve. |
| Molly's Orchid Mix (this product) | ~$22 | None. Open and pot. | Consistent. Calibrated for Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, and Dendrobium. |
The honest comparison: bagged "orchid soil" from box stores is a coin flip. Some products are good, many are repackaged peat-based potting soil that will kill an orchid. DIY makes economic sense if you grow many orchids and don't mind the upfront sourcing work. Pre-blended is the right call for everyone else, especially if you've already lost an orchid to wrong soil.
Sizing & coverage
One 5 dry quart bag of Molly's Orchid Mix fills approximately:
- About 10 four-inch pots
- About 6 five-inch pots
- About 4 six-inch pots
- About 2 to 3 eight-inch pots
Most Phalaenopsis sold at supermarkets come in 5 or 6 inch pots, so a single bag handles 2 to 4 typical repots. Choose a pot just slightly larger than the existing root mass; orchids prefer to be tight in their pots.
When to repot
Repot every 1 to 2 years, or sooner if any of these are true:
- The bark has broken down into smaller chunks (it should still feel chunky, not mushy)
- The mix smells sour or stagnant
- Roots are climbing out of the pot in protest
- The plant has just finished a flowering cycle (best time to repot)
Avoid repotting an orchid that's actively spiking or in bloom. Wait until flowering ends.
Watering with bark mix (it's different)
Bark mix dries out faster than soil and rehydrates more slowly. Use the soak-and-drain method:
- Take the orchid to a sink. Pour room-temperature water through the pot until it runs out the drainage holes for several seconds.
- Let it drain completely (5 to 10 minutes).
- Return to its growing spot.
- Repeat when the bark feels dry about an inch down, typically every 7 to 10 days for Phalaenopsis indoors.
Never let the orchid sit in a saucer of water. Drainage is non-negotiable.
FAQ
Will this work for moth orchids (Phalaenopsis)?
Yes. Phalaenopsis is the primary use case. The bark + charcoal + light moisture-retainer ratio is tuned for them.
What's the difference between orchid soil and orchid potting mix?
None in practice. Both terms describe the same product: a chunky, soilless growing medium for orchids. "Soil" is the more common search term; "mix" is the more accurate description. The key thing is the ingredients on the bag, not the marketing word.
Is this the same as orchid bark?
Bark is one ingredient. Orchid potting mix is bark blended with charcoal, coir chips, and a small amount of sphagnum. Pure bark dries out too fast for most home growers; the moisture-retaining components in this mix prevent that.
Can I use regular potting soil if I add perlite?
No. Even with extra drainage, soil compacts and holds water against the roots over time. The structure is wrong, not just the drainage rate. Use a real bark-based mix.
How is this different from sphagnum moss alone?
Sphagnum holds way more water than orchid roots want long-term. Pure sphagnum is fine for transplant or recovery, but for ongoing growth, a bark-based mix prevents root rot. This mix has a small amount of sphagnum for humidity, anchored in chunky bark for drainage.
Can I make my own orchid mix?
You can. The trade-off is sourcing the right grade of fir bark (it should be coarse, sized 1/4 to 1/2 inch), pre-soaking it (raw bark is hydrophobic), and dialing in proportions. We did the work so you don't have to.
Is the mix already fertilized?
No synthetic fertilizer. Orchids are light feeders and bark-based mixes hold no nutrient charge. Use a dilute orchid fertilizer (look for "weakly weekly" recommendations, ~1/4 strength balanced fertilizer) during active growth, less in winter dormancy.
How long does the mix last in the pot?
Most home growers can leave Molly's Orchid Mix in place for 1 to 2 years before the bark breaks down enough to need replacing. Annual repotting is the cleanest discipline; signs that it's overdue include musty odor, water sitting at the surface, and visibly broken-down bark.
Can I reuse old orchid mix from a previous repot?
No. Once bark has broken down, it loses its structure and starts retaining water like soil. Always use fresh mix when repotting. Discard the old mix or compost it.
What pot size should I use?
Smaller than feels right. Orchids prefer to be tight in their pots. The new pot should fit the root mass with about 1cm of breathing room around it. Oversized pots hold too much moisture and rot the roots.
Packaged in a heat-sealed resealable bag.
Related guides
For deeper reading: the orchid care rhythm and the complete orchid potting mix guide.
Not sure which mix your plant needs?
Take our free 60-second Soil Finder quiz → Diagnose the problem and get the exact Molly's mix and amount for your plant, plus 10% off.
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4.1 ★★★★★
Based on 12 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
No Mourners..
Format: Hardcover
‘No mourners…’
‘…no funerals.’
Among them, it passed for good luck. ”
This quote is a perfect description of the tone set throughout this entire novel. A hopelessness so ingrained in a group of people that their phrase for good luck is hinged around the idea of no one mourning or honoring their deaths.
Having read the Shadow and Bone trilogy, I was familiar with the Grisha universe prior to reading this novel. If you’re wondering which you should read first, I suggest reading the trilogy prior to the duology — it will get you a lot of historical context that lays the foundation for the problems, war and ultimate state of the world this book is set it. I will say, I enjoyed the Grisha trilogy but found myself frustrated with the direction the story ended up going. Leigh Bardugo is a phenomenal writer but it felt like the end of that trilogy took the easy way out — but that review is for a different day.
Six of crows shows Bardugo’s redemption in making the difficult but correct plot choices, in my opinion. This entire book is thrilling because the reader (presumably having read her previous Grisha trilogy) goes into the story assuming they will have some idea of where the story will go, having explored this world before. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Six of crows follows the dark and dangerous mob-lifestyles in the Barrel of Ketterdam, far away from the Golden Palace of Prince Nikolai and the worshiped Sankta Alina. Bardugo does not shy away from the dark and gruesome reality of the mob lifestyle, she embraces it. Readers are shown vivid descriptions of call-girls, gambling rings, mistakes punishable by death and ruthless leaders capable of lethality at any second. Despite such a horrific environment, Bardugo’s character development leaves the readers connecting, loving and rooting for characters with truly horrible qualities.
One thing I appreciated was the pacing of this story – you’re shown an enticing and mysterious scene right off the bat, completely immersing you into this story as you crave to find out more behind what happened. Immediately, you’re pulled away and shown the humble beginnings of Kas Brekker and the Dregs from the Crow Club, learning about their personalities, roles, and motives for the dangerous job that takes up most of the story. Readers learn details slowly — not so slow that they’re bored — but slow enough that they’re kept hooked to the plot, hoping the next page turn will provide the answer they need. Just when you might become a bit bored by the plot, a twist or exciting, unexpected wrench gets thrown into the mix bringing you back in.
As you go along in the story, you’re introduced to more details about each member of the Dregs, their pasts that led them to this journey they take together, and the secrets that shape their relationships. These details are done brilliantly, as readers are able to see these memories and experiences from each characters point of view. This brings a human quality to the characters and allows readers to empathize with their situations, thus creating a bond between reader and character that allows them to continue to love and support the Dregs despite the horrible things they do to each other and others throughout the journey. You’re rooting for them to get the endings they want and deserve and hoping they won’t choose to lie, cheat, kill and steal in order to get there, but ultimately accept that that is just who they are.
The only time this aspect of the characters was frustrating was at the end of the book. The relationship between Kaz and Inej is tantalizingly frustrating throughout the story, but the end of the book is where we really see Kaz’s nature and I found myself so frustrated that he couldn’t be better for her and that because of him, Inej gets placed in the worst case scenario. I’m hoping that he redeems himself in the second installment.
Overall — there’s no denying that Leigh Bardugo has talent and if you loved the first trilogy, I guarantee you’ll love this one even more. If you had mixed feelings on the first Grisha trilogy, I urge you to give this duology a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Stay tuned for the review around book two!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2017
★★★★★ 4
Great read with an interesting plot
It took me quite some time to get to this book, mostly because I never managed to read the original Grisha trilogy, I tried several times to get started with it, but there was something about it that didn’t quite suck me in. Eventually though, I gave up that series and decided to dig into Six of Crows even though I had not read the Grisha trilogy in advance. And I am happy that I did because Six of Crows was an easy read that pulled me in rather quickly.
In Six of Crows we follow a group of six criminals from a gang called the Dregs, and when their leader, Kaz, gets a job that would change their lives forever, he can’t say no, despite the job being as impossible as it gets. So, in this book, we get to come along on the quest as they set out to break into one of the most secure prisoners in Fjerda.
There’s a lot of things that I really enjoy in this book, but also a few things that slightly annoyed me. But for the most part this is a great read and the way the author has managed to keep the reader invested in all three characters and their separate POVs is impressive, not once did I feel like any of the characters were unnecessary or flat. Every character is well developed with interesting backstory and there’s also a lot going on in their relationships and thanks to the separate POV’s you get a very intimate connection to each an ever characters emotions and reasons to what they do. It’s, like I said, beautifully crafted and the writing too is beautiful and vivid.
The wordbuiling is great and Bardugo manages to incorporate details of the world and the scenery in the story without it feeling heavy with information. It all flows very well, and as I read it was easy to picture the scenes.
The plot was interesting, full of twists and turns and seeing the team’s job take shape from the eyes of multiple POVs made for a very interesting read and also gave the heist that sense of mystery and surprise that we’re used to seeing on tv and in movies.
As for the things that I didn’t quite like it was not bad enough to really make a difference in the overall rating, but it was still things that stuck out to me. The first being that I felt like the heist sometimes got overshadowed by massive bits of backstory. The backstory itself didn’t bother me because they were interesting and great, and they made me understand and connect with the character a lot more, but I didn’t feel like they were necessary for the story in that elaborated manor they had been written in, less information had been enough and kept the pacing of the main plot more consistent. So, even though I enjoyed learning about the characters pasts and the reasons they ended up in the gang, I would have preferred more focus on the heist itself.
The second thing is the beginning. It was unnecessary and pointless. Why make us invested in Joost and Anya just to basically never mention them again? I get the point of showing what the drug could do, but there must have been a better way to do it.
The third thing is related to the Fjerdans and primarily their language. The Fjerdan’s are, according to what I’ve read from interviews with Leigh Bardugo, heavily influenced by Scandinavia, and more specifically Sweden and Norway. As a swede, I can totally see that, and I knew that it is a fictional language and that my own language has been used as inspiration. But I couldn’t help feel a bit thrown off when there was suddenly words that I knew from my own language being used when there was so many other words used that didn’t fit at all with the way we’d use those words. It’s hard to explain, and truly it doesn’t really matter since it’s fiction and not real, but it was something that stood out to me, like a hiccup that broke the flow of my reading. I think it would have bothered me less if the Fjerdans had actually spoken any of the Scandinavian languages, or at least had a more reasonable structure to their sentences and words that would have fit well with the use of actual words from our language. And in this same line are the names of the Fjerdan Drüskelle. There were typical Scandinavian names at a lot of the times, but then there were these names that stood out and didn’t fit in with the rest we’d been told. But, I’m not going to let any of this affect the rating since this is just a personal thing that most likely wouldn’t bothered anyone else, and if does not in any way affect the intensity and greatness of the story.
So, overall, this book will get a solid 4/5 stars from me, and I can’t wait to dig into the sequel. I can also highly recommend this book to basically everyone, it’s a great read and the way Leigh Bardugo handled all six POVs is reason enough for every author to pick up this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2019
★★★★★ 5
SIX OF CROWS: My favorite book of 2015
Format: Hardcover
REVIEW: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Published September 29th, 2015 by Henry Holt and Co. Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy Edition: Hardcover Source: Purchased Pages: 465 Rating: 5/5 stars
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price–and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction–if they don’t kill each other first.
From the moment I heard the description of this book, I was intrigued. A band of thieves attempting to pull off a huge heist? Sign me up! I was counting down the days till it released. I had such high expectations for this book. And believe me, they were met. I couldn’t put this book down. I loved every minute of it. Now, it is one of my favorite books of all time, and I’ve read a lot of books. I titled this “review”. In a review, you usually find criticism of the book. But since I loved this book, it’ll mostly be me gushing about all my thoughts. I just want to run up to people, shove this book in their face, scream “READ IT”, and then go and reread it by myself.
the plot
It was so interesting! I loved the whole heist. Something was always happening, and it was always interesting. It kept me surprised: PLOT TWISTS!
the characters
The characters were probably my favorite part of this book. We meet six that, by the end of the book, I had come to love. They’re all so unique. I loved reading from each perspective, that way I got to know the characters a lot better.
“No mourners. No funerals. Among them, it passed for “good luck.”
Kaz- The leader.
“Greed is your god, Kaz.”
He almost laughed at that. “No, Inej. Greed bows to me. It is my servant and my lever.”
“A liar, a thief, and utterly without conscience. But he’ll keep to any deal you strike with him.”
Nina- She’s so brave, snarky, funny, and just an amazing strong female character. I loved that we had a Grisha in the group.
Inej-MY FAVORITE. She’s an ex-circus performer who now is a spy known as The Wraith. She struggled between her dedication to the gang and her desire to see her family again.
“Besides, she was the Wraith-the only law that applied to her was gravity, and some days she defied that, too.”
Jesper- the sharpshooter, who added so much to the story. The chapter told from his point of view are really great, because you see the other characters how he does, and I think he sees them how they truly are.
“Take good care of my babies,” Jesper said as he handed [his guns] over to Dirix.
“If I see a single scratch or nick on those, I’ll spell forgive me on your chest in bullet holes.”
Wylan- He was this adorable, innocent, little boy at first. But his character changed/revealed as the story went along, and I LOVED it. I wished we could have gotten chapters from his POV, but Leigh said there will be in the 2nd!
“Always hit where the mark isn’t looking.”
“Who’s Mark?” Asked Wylan.
Matthias- I loved how he struggled with loyalty to his country and his love for Nina, and I also loved seeing the backstory of how him and Nina met.
“And what did you do, Matthias? What did you do to me in your dreams?”
“Everything,” he said, as he turned to go. “Everything.”
the romance!
I loved how the story was not overpowered by the romances in this book. It was a side plot that made the story more interesting. It wasn’t as prominent as the action part, but it was there. And it was amazing. I won’t spoil anything, but let me just say, I have 3 new OTPs just from this book.
the setting
In Bardugo’s previous trilogy, which I loved, we get to know the world a little, but it’s mostly set in Ravka, one country. Six of Crows was in a different country in this world, Kerch, and the group travels to a new country, Fjerda. I loved getting to know this world better. Also, the characters are from different countries so we get to know their view on their country and the others.
the writing
Her writing, like always, was incredible. It flowed beautifully. Some people have said it starts out slow, but once you pass the first 100 pages, things start picking up and getting really interesting. (I was interested the whole time, of course. I loved it from the very beginning.) But if you’re not enjoying it as much, I’m begging you. Keep trying. It’s SO worth it. There’s so many amazing quotes! I literally have notes and notes full of them.
This book is funny! It made me laugh out loud a lot (and I was in public, so people stared at me.)
“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get Wylan’s ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost.
Brekker’s lips quicker. “I’ll just hire Matthias’ ghost to kick your ghost’s ass.”
“My ghost won’t associate with your ghost,” Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.”
This book is so gorgeous! The cover is beautiful, but my absolute FAVORITE thing about it has to be the black edged pages. And the maps!! There’s two beautiful maps. TWO!
what I didn’t like
I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like in this book. I tried to come up with something, but I loved it too much.
I highly, HIGHLY recommend you check this book out. It brings all the feels. I need the second book, Crooked Kingdom, NOW. Also, if you haven’t read Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy, you should. A lot of people have asked me, “Do I have to read the Grisha Trilogy before Six of Crows?” My answer has been: No, you don’t have to. Of course I would recommend that you do, as it is one of my favorite trilogies. If you don’t, you might be a little lost in the world, and there are some characters mentioned in here from that trilogy that you wouldn’t understand, but you could understand the story. There are minor spoilers of the end of Ruin and Rising in Six of Crows, but there is also some misleading. If you read the Grisha trilogy, you learn more about Ravka, where Nina is from, which helps you understand her better. Plus, it’s just an amazing trilogy. You SHOULD. But no, you do not have to.
Okay, I’ll just conclude my ramblings now. Go read this book, please. This review took so long to write, because I had so many good things to say, and I reread Six of Crows while writing it.
Ava
Bookishnessandtea.wordpress.com
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Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2016
★★★★★ 5
When you finish this book, be prepared to go through withdrawal.
Format: Hardcover
I finished Six of Crows and immediately found myself missing Kaz and his crew, which is a surefire sign that I just finished a book that I absolutely loved. Kaz Brekker, criminal, gang leader, outcast, has assembled a group of misfit criminals from The Barrel to pull off the crime of a lifetime, a crime that even the most capable and seasoned lawbreakers would find nearly impossible. But for a group of men and women who have nothing left to lose, the impossible could be the one thing that will bring them salvation and the wealth they need to start new lives. But before they can go about saving the world they must first get past the secrets they are hiding, the resentment they hold back, and the mistrust they feel towards one another, and focus on not getting killed by the odds stacked against them.
I had been looking forward to reading this book since it was released because there were so many tempting aspects to it: theft, magic, fantasy, so many things that I love in a good story. Six of Crows is set in the same world as Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy but in a different land, with different characters, and it is not necessary to read the other trilogy first. I felt like the story got off to a slow start but after the first part of the book (it is divided into several parts) it really picked up and I could not put it down. Once I was halfway through the book I caught myself thinking about it all the time and wondering what would happen next with each of the characters that I had grown to love so much.
To tell the story, Bardugo switches each chapter to be from a different main character’s point of view, but I felt she did it in a different and more engaging way than I have seen it done by other authors in the past. The trouble I fall into sometimes when reading a story that switches between characters is the breakup of the storyline, since each character usually jumps to a different time or location. Bardugo switches characters yet tells the story seamlessly so that each chapter starts exactly where the last left off, but with the point of view of someone new. So the story never breaks succession and there is never a lull in the action. This way we learn the emotions, motivations, and differing viewpoints of each character without the excitement of the story ever getting interrupted.
The character development in the story is incredible and you quickly begin to learn the talents and flaws of each character and feel as if you know them personally and love each of them for who they are. Bardugo uses the present, flashbacks, internal thoughts, etc. to teach you the history of each character and give you a glimpse into why they have each become the person they are. The storyline was very unique and often focused on special abilities that some characters possess (the Grisha) which are incredibly interesting and a different take on magic. Once you get about 100 pages into the book the story really picks up pace and it is basically nonstop action after that point, done in near flawless fashion. There were small things about the book that bothered me, but these are rather insignificant details like the ages of certain characters or odd interactions which took nothing away from the story at all and were just little things that I noticed occasionally. Overall Bardugo told a brilliant story and I loved every second of it.
I finished this book several days ago and I still find myself missing the characters, Ketterdam, and everything about the story. It has been a long time since I have read a book that tugged at my heart enough that it made me go through a slight withdrawal and left me feeling a little depressed that I was not still immersed in the world of the book and the lives of its characters. Six of Crows has done that to me and the more I think about the book the more I love it and I find myself already anticipating the next novel in the trilogy. The book ends with a cliffhanger but not one that leaves you screaming in rage at having to wait so long for the next book, but enough for you to feel eager with anticipation as you patiently await book two. I look forward to the day where I am back in The Barrel hanging out with Kaz and the rest of the crew as the next part of the incredible journey takes place.
“When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.”
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Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2015
★★★★★ 5
A fun heist adventure with a lovable cast of characters!
Format: Kindle
Kaz Brekker is a young criminal mastermind with a knack for meticulously planning every step of a greater picture before making a single move. He's spent a lot of time gaining a reputation, gathering a small gang, and building a legend and mystique around himself. His ultimate goal is revenge, and every move he makes is just another step toward it. When he is hired to carry out an impossible heist, he needs to gather a crew and plan his moves even more carefully.
Where this book truly shines is with its characters. Kaz and his crew are all very different personalities, and their banter and relationships with each other are all wonderful. Each of the six main characters are given full, compelling backstories, motivations, skill sets, personality quirks, and personal demons to sort out. It was a joy getting to know these characters and seeing them bounce off of each other. Kaz is an excellent character, and feels like a teenage supervillain-in-training. He is human, and suffers from trauma, insecurities, getting emotionally attached, but does everything he can to come off cold and detached to keep up with the legacy he has built for himself - and when you get to see Kaz from other peoples' perspectives, you can see just how successful he's become at it.
I'll admit I was not a fan of Matthias, one of the POV characters, at first. He's well-written, but his worldview and way of thinking were difficult for me to wrap my head around or justify. As the story went on and Matthias got more fleshed out and complex, I came to love him. Although there are six main characters, only five of them get POV chapters -- the sixth is still a very interesting character, and I would love to see a bigger glimpse into his mindset. After finishing the book I can understand why he was not given his own chapters, and I'm VERY excited to learn more about him in the sequel.
The worldbuilding is also very impressive. I understand that there are other books and trilogies and such set in this same world. I've yet to read the others at the time of writing this review, but I am intrigued by the world these characters live in, the customs and cultures of its people, the history that is alluded to, etc. This world feels real and fleshed out, and it's very clear that a lot of thought and care were put into it.
Six of Crows is an extremely fun book, I'm pumped to read its sequel and the other stories set in this world, and to check out the Netflix series based on one of them! I highly recommend this book!!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2025